please log in to view this image Arsenal v Leeds Utd EFL Cup 4th Round Tuesday 26th October@19-45pm | Emirates Stadium A midweek trip to North London stands between Leeds and a place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup, but only if they can overcome Arsenal. With a must win league trip at Carrow Road next Saturday, Marcelo Bielsa may choose to reward Gelhardt and Summerville for their cameo roles at the weekend with rare starts. Charlie Cresswell and Cody Dramah are also hopeful of playing some part of the 4th round clash. We await to find out whether Firpo and Phillips are fit to play, though if they do, they're unlikely to play the full ninety minutes. Raphinha took a knock midway through the second half of the Wolves clash, though has reassured Leeds fans after the match via twitter that he's fine! The hosts have dragged themselves into the top half of the table after a poor start to their campaign, and are unbeaten in the last six games. In the previous rounds of the competition, Mikel Arteta's team put six past West Brom, and three past Wimbledon, both without reply. They have a Senior squad of 26, without having to dip into their Under 23 squad.
5,200 This is copied from fansnetwork.co.uk With 60,383 seats on offer they have enjoyed a huge increase in their matchday revenues since the new stadium opened. For Premier League games away fans get an allocation of 3,000 in the lower tier of the South East corner, but this can be increased for cup games. Last time we were been given approximately 8,000 seats for the FA Cup tie game, but this time it’s been reduced to 5,200. The explanation given on the official Leeds website was that “Arsenal Football Club’s Safety Team have advised that due to persistent standing during our last match played in the FA Cup Third Round in January 2020, we will only be allocated the Lower Tier for our forthcoming fixture.” These tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 concessions and sold out within minutes of going on sale. Which was probably down to the number of Leeds fans living in London and other parts of the south-east, for whom it’s an easy journey. The reduced allocation obviously created the temptation for Leeds fans to mix with the locals, but home tickets will only be made available to members who renewed or joined the Arsenal membership before 21:45 on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Which by no co-incidence was the time that the draw for this round of the cup was made. And just in case any of us manage to clear that hurdle, the official Arsenal website warns that “visiting supporters that purchase a ticket in the home end for this fixture are likely to be ejected from the stadium”. Does this mean that Leeds fans in the stands down the side will be allowed to stay where they are?
I’d like to believe we can win but with injuries and our low league position I can’t see us putting out a strong team. Throw into the mix the fact it’s away in London I’m hoping miracles do happen
Arsenal have hit a bit of form. When the draw was made I was quietly confident of going there and turning them over but with the injury situation and a couple of players showing no form I think we might lose handily. The main thing I am looking for is some fight and energy to our performance and depending on the team some good experience for our youngsters. Some of these kids could become key players this season and games like this will benefit them massively. On a personal level, I like a gamble and I'd pick the strongest team and try to win a trophy.
For me the injuries have killed off a cup run. I wouldnt risk Raphinha if hes fit, I would risk Kalvin for 45mins to get some match fitness, if Firpo os ready I would give him 45 too. Harrison rested which means Jimmy and James on the wings. Cresswell and Struijk would work as they know each others game. Roberts in the 11 but save Rodrigo and Klich Joffy to start or play the second half and I would give Jenkins a chance at DM. McGurk and Miller are ballers too
Personally I hope we play our strongest available side. If they’re fit to start then they should. That includes Raphinha and Phillips. If those two end up getting injured then we should have enough to beat Norwich at the weekend without them anyway. If they don’t get injured then we’ll win this tonight and beat Norwich. All this ‘protect our best players for Norwich’ bollocks pisses me off. Knowing our luck our players are just as likely to be injured in training Let’s be positive, do well in a cup for a change and then move up the table.
I’m with you. I do also believe it could be Bielsas last season, he can’t win the league, he might fancy saying goodbye with a Wembley final
I can see the arguments on both sides of the debate about playing more kids tonight and playing our strongest available. I think he will be a bit down the middle so can see Phillips and Firpo if fit, I can even see Cooper alongside Cresswell because we cannot afford to lose Llorente again. I would maybe even give Roberts a chance at 9 with him knowing if he dires blanks Joffy will replace him. Dan James and Summerville down the flanks then its who we play in the middle, Klich? shaks? Dallas if Firpo fit?
The Arse have a 12.30 ko in a tough game at Leicester on Saturday, so could well be resting a few themselves, expect them to have a mix of youth and first teamers too....if that helps
Team v Albion before Man C away Team v Wimbledon before Spurs home Think he'll go pretty strong tonight.
Not a problem as Biela will pick a team capable of doing the job...same as at Crawley in the FA Cup remember. Let's hope he's learnt from that sobering experience and respects the travelling faithful tonight. To be honest I'm flip flopping between going strong, as a heavy defeat could damage us for Sunday and playing all the U23's and writing it off. Difficult call but on balance think I'd prefer full strength, minus any players carrying knocks.
As much as I want the win, particularly as it’s dad v lad tonight (watching it in the pub with my gooner son), it took us 16 long years to get back to the premier league so staying in it is the priority for me.
You've inadvertently raised an interesting point: how many of our injuries are suffered during 1st team game-time compared to training ground / other reasons?
No idea really but I think Firpo, Bamford, Phillips and Koch are currently sidelined with injuries not picked up during a match, and Llorente seemed to be out a lot through muscle injuries picked up in training. As for Forshaw it was so long ago that he started having injury issues I can’t remember if it was during a match or during training
Forshaw has to start surely or what is the point when we have an injury crisis like now. Prove his fitness or release him. Play Roberts and say go and prove yourself. Theres 2 first team starters getting a rest for a start. Play Summerville in place of Rapha and James in place if Harrison, another 2 rested to recover. McGurk and Miller are another couple of wingers/midfielders fir the bench with both on ghe first team fringes. Drameh at LB with Shaks in the middle. Bring Joffy on as soon as Roberts fails, Cresswell and Cooper, Phillips to form the spine with forshaw and Shaks.
Beers are chilling in the freezer so just killing a bit of time watching the gee gees at Newcastle... Plastic Paddy @13/8 gotta be a sure thing in the next you would have thought
